LOCAL: Neighbors Disagreeing Over Security Cameras in Bay Village

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio – The usually quite community of Bay Village is now home to an on-going neighborhood battle that has caused one residents to install 16 video surveillance cameras on the outside of his home.

The cameras were installed by Mark Barringer, who is living with his parents at their East Oakland Road home.

The cameras are set up on high 16-foot poles, the side of the home and on top of the chimney. All of the cameras appear to be pointed at Barringer’s neighbors, causing them to respond by hanging large American flags and curtains, in effort to block to their view.

Neither Barringer nor any of his neighbors would talk with NewsChannel5 on camera. However, Bay Village Law Director Gary Ebert had plenty to say about the two-year neighborhood feud.

“The building department has been down there, I’ve been down there, the prosecutor has been down there, the service department has been down there,” said Ebert. “We’ve tried everything to bring both parties together.”

Ebert said Bay Village police have been called to the scene three dozen times in 18 months to try and deal with a wide variety of disturbances.

Two of the residents have been charged with aggravated menacing and disorderly conduct, but Ebert wasn’t sure what started the on-going fight among four homeowners on the block.

“We’ve had mediation with all of the parties at city hall, I’ve met with them to try and find a solution,” said Ebert. “I’ve encouraged them to hire private council, go to court, and file for action for breach of quite enjoyment and invasion of privacy.”

Ebert said residents have been complaining the cameras are a violation, but he admitted it’s not clear whether Barringer has stepped over the line.

“Hanging security cameras up is not breaking the law,” said Ebert. “However, the amount of cameras on one house is questionable, as to whether or not it’s an invasion of privacy.”

Ebert explained Bay Village city code does not address the multiple camera privacy issue. It’s a matter for common pleas court.

If the neighbors charged are convicted, they could be issued a $150 fine. Ebert told NewsChannel5 residents could only be given jail time if the disturbances included “a threat of harm.”

Meanwhile, word of the neighborhood battle has spread to social media.

Ryan Fletteric grew up in the neighborhood and made his way to see the home people have been talking about.

“I was looking for this house with all the video cameras that heard about on Facebook, I thought it was kind of silly,” said Fletteric. “Just talk it out, there is no sense in causing an uproar.”

“You have bad neighbors everywhere, but there’s no point in holding a grudge.”